Caldwell University welcomes incoming students at the new Student Convocation.

Caldwell University welcomes incoming students at the new Student Convocation.

More resident students on campus than ever

Caldwell, N.J., August 26, 2014 – Caldwell University freshman students who moved in this week and started classes were helping the university break records, although they may not have known it. The freshman class at Caldwell is the largest in the university’s history, and more students than ever are living on campus. “How exciting it is to welcome students who are eager to obtain a Caldwell education,” said President Nancy Blattner, Ph.D. who joined the entourage of staff, athletes and other student volunteers who greeted parents and new students at the curb to help them unload their vehicles.

Over 370 freshmen enter this week—the first group to come in as Caldwell University students since the institution officially received university status this past year. More than 600 resident students are living on campus this fall, over 40 percent more than five years ago. “We are defying trends since many other schools are finding that parents are opting to have their children commute,” said Dr. Blattner. “We are excited to share with our new students our vibrant campus life and the traditions that are part of Caldwell University’s history and heritage.” This past summer Caldwell made room by renovating a lounge and a former kitchen in Mother Joseph Residence Hall to accommodate 36 students and one resident assistant. The fourth floor of another building, Rosary Hall, was converted into dorms.

The campus has seen a significant climb in enrollment since Dr. Blattner arrived five years ago, said Joseph Posillico, vice president of enrollment management and communications. “The university is reaping the benefits of her work in building relationships with people in the community and her efforts in raising our profile on the state and national levels,” he said. Enhanced technology, including new state-of-the-art nursing labs, additional athletic programs and new academic offerings such as the Ph.D. and Ed.D. in Educational Administration have also been attractions.

This summer the university added two more accreditations to its list. The mental health counseling/art therapy graduate program received accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, becoming the first CACREP-accredited art therapy program in the nation. The Department of Applied Behavior Analysis received accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International for its master’s in ABA.

For the third year in a row Caldwell was recognized as a College of Distinction, which honors institutions that are nationally recognized by education professionals. The university’s online graduate program in Educational Administration was also recently named one of The 25 Best Online Master’s in Educational Degree Programs.

Caldwell is celebrating its 75th anniversary and will mark that milestone with events during Homecoming Weekend Sept. 18-20.